"Rivers in the Wasteland" by Needtobreathe

What’s not of God can only be of fear. A fearful thought is literally what the ego is; strident in tone, and harsh in its commands. You fall down at its feet to gain the gifts it promises to give, which glitter in its dim and darkened lights. And yet you know all the while they have not, nor ever will provide the lasting peace and solace that you seek. Its idols fall, inevitably, and each time one does you weep and sing the bitter dirge of grief. Lift up your eyes and see the Light that comes to shine away these fantasies, these dark and dim-lit things; to show their nothingness to you who mourn and live in thoughts of loss and scarcity. Behold your freedom now, and turn not back to what you’ve left behind. They cannot serve; they’re made to hold you back. And while you seek in vain for vanities, you cannot see their worthlessness instead. For then have you assigned value to them, nor is there any cost you’d deem to be too much to pay for little things that bring a short-lived sense of grandiosity.

This fearful thing can only terrify those who devotedly seek out its charms to pacify their gnawing sense of doubt of what they are, and what their function is. Those who, perceiving it is false, choose not to chase any of the magical forms the ego seeks to assuage its growing sense of terror and inadequacy, are free to live and free as God to Love. Escape is surely found through life, not death, and this you learn as you become willing to “sacrifice” your faith in sacrifice as something you believe can fill a lack, secure God’s favor, purchase peace, or bring completion to you who makes God complete. Without you, there would be an empty place within the Mind of God, and this is quite impossible, as He is All in all.

Your being, then, arises from His Thought, and nothing could arise to separate you from what you forever are joined with. When this is even once perceived, you can but laugh at all the ego’s petty “gifts” and see that, in the Light, they are revealed as thorns and nails with which to crucify, if possible, the Holy Son of God. Such is the ego’s insane wish, for it cannot conceive of you as part of That which instantly nullifies its effects, together with itself. It knows Him not, but does believe a grave and looming threat is waiting for the perfect time to strike. And that its striking will not fail to kill. It has nearly convinced you that you are itself, and thus it seeks to be allies with you who are the precious Host of God. It sees no brothers, only bargainers with whom it recommends you strike a deal, and thus secure protection from God’s wrath. However, you cannot be safe from Truth, but only in it. The ego’s fortress—the special relationship—it holds out as a substitute for its counterpart, the holy relationship. Temple of the Holy Spirit, this sacred union with your brother brings forth abundant fruit. Your words of kindness to each other are the incense that is pleasing to the Lord. 'Tis but your benediction that He asks; that blessing, you may learn that you are blessed.